Advocates should tap the technical assistance resources available through the national organizations described below. These organizations can provide materials and information on relevant programs, recommend speakers or other experts, and in some cases even provide on-site consultations:
The Consensus Project: Since the release of the Consensus Project Report in 2002, the Council of State Governments (coordinator of the Consensus Project) has provided on-site and off-site technical assistance to jurisdictions across the country including providing materials, funding speakers, and offering guidance in program development
The Consensus Project
Council of State Governments
40 Broad St.
New York, NY 10004
Tel: (212) 482-2320
Fax: (212) 482-2344
E-mail: editors@consensusproject.org
http://www.consensusproject.org
The National GAINS Center: The National GAINS Center, established in 1995 to collect and disseminate information about effective mental health and substance abuse treatment services for people with co-occurring disorders who come in contact with the justice system, provides consultation and technical assistance on a wide array of criminal justice and mental health issues.
National GAINS Center
Policy Research Associates
345 Delaware Ave.
Delmar, NY 12054
Tel.: (800) 311-GAIN
Fax: (518) 439-7612
http://www.gainscenter.samhsa.gov
National Center for Mental Health and Juvenile Justice: The National Center for Mental Health and Juvenile Justice promotes improved policies and programs for youth with mental health disorders in contact with the juvenile justice system. Center staff provides materials about various policy issues, identifies best practices across the country, and provides consultants who offer specialized training and expertise on a wide range of topics.
National Center for Mental Health and Juvenile Justice
Policy Research Associates
345 Delaware Ave.
Delmar, NY 12054
Tel.: (866) 9NC-MHJJ
Fax: (518) 439-7612
http://www.ncmhjj.com
NAMI: NAMI is one of the largest mental health advocacy organizations in the country. The national office supports affiliates by serving as a clearinghouse and coordinator of state and local activities, and providing resources and technical assistance when needed. Advocates who are not involved in a NAMI affiliate should visit http://www.nami.org to find one in their area. NAMI affiliates looking to launch an advocacy initiative related to criminal justice should contact the national office for support.
National Alliance for the Mentally Ill (NAMI)
NAMI Support, Technical Assistance, and Resource Center (STAR)
2107 Wilson Blvd, Suite 300
Arlington, VA 22201-3042
Tel.: (703) 600-1108 or (866) 537-7827
Toll-free TDD: (888) 344-6264
Fax: (703) 600-1112
E-mail: star@nami.org
http://www.nami.org
National Mental Health Association: The National Mental Health Association (NMHA) is the country's oldest and largest nonprofit organization addressing all aspects of mental health and mental illness. With more than 340 affiliates nationwide, NMHA works to improve the mental health of all Americans through advocacy, education, research, and service. The national office holds yearly conferences and provides technical assistance to local affiliates and community advocates on a wide range of policy issues. NMHA also manages one of the five federally funded consumer/peer-run technical assistance centers.
National Mental Health Association:
2001 N. Beauregard St., 12th Floor
Alexandria, VA 22311
Tel.: (800) 969-6642
Fax: (703) 684-5968
http://www.nmha.org/
Bazelon Center for Mental Health Law: - The Judge David L. Bazelon Center for Mental Health Law is the nation's leading legal advocate for people with mental illness. Providing technical support on mental health law issues, policy advocacy, and public education, the Center pursues the following objectives: advance community membership; promote self-determination; respond to - and refocus attention on - the shortcomings of the mental health system; and preserve individuals' rights. Founded in 1972, the Bazelon Center was known as the Mental Health Law Project until 1993.
Bazelon Center for Mental Health Law
1101 15th Street, NW; Suite 1212
Washington, D.C. 20005
Tel.: (202) 467-5730
Fax: (202) 223-0409
Email: webmaster@bazelon.org
http://www.bazelon.org/
National Association of State Mental Health Program Directors (NASHMPD): NASMHPD advocates for the collective interests of state mental health authorities and their directors at the national level; analyzes trends in the delivery and financing of mental health services; and identifies public mental health policy issues and best practices in service delivery. The association apprises its members of research findings and best practices, fosters collaboration, provides consultation and technical assistance, and promotes effective management practices and financing mechanisms.
National Association of State Mental Health Program Directors
66 Canal Center Plaza, Suite 302
Alexandria, VA 22314
Tel.: (703) 739-9333
Fax: (703) 548-9517
http://www.nasmhpd.org/
Depression and Bipolar Support Alliance (DBSA): DBSA is a patient-directed organization focusing on the most prevalent types of mental illness -- depression and bipolar disorder. The organization provides information about mental illness, supports research, coordinates a grassroots network of more than 1,000 patient-run support groups across the country, and advocates in Washington, D.C. on behalf of people living with mood disorders.
Depression and Bipolar Support Alliance (DBSA)
730 N. Franklin St., Suite 501
Chicago, IL 60610-7224
Tel: (800) 826-3632
Fax: (312) 642-7243
E-mail: peersupport@DBSAlliance.org
http://www.peersupport.org
National Empowerment Center: The National Empowerment Center is a federally funded, consumer/survivor/ex-patient-run organization that provides information and support to consumers of mental health services across the country. The center develops materials, sponsors conferences, sends speakers to conferences and meetings, and maintains a national directory of mutual support groups, drop-in centers, and statewide organizations.
National Empowerment Center
599 Canal St.
Lawrence, MA 01840
Tel.: (800) 769-3728
Fax: (978) 694-9117
http://www.Power2u.org
National Mental Health Consumers' Self-Help Clearinghouse: The clearinghouse offers assistance and advice to consumers interested in establishing self-help networks. Their assistance covers topics such as fundraising, how to start a self-help group, and systems advocacy, and is provided online, through events and conferences, and via a regular newsletter.
National Mental Health Consumers' Self-Help Clearinghouse
1211 Chestnut St., Suite 1207
Philadelphia, PA 19107
Tel.: (800) 553-4539
Fax: (215) 636-6312
E-mail: info@mhselfhelp.org
http://www.mhselfhelp.org
Consumer Organization and Networking Technical Assistance Center (CONTAC): CONTAC, run by the West Virginia Mental Health Consumer's Association, Inc. (WVMHCA), provides informational materials; on-site training and skill-building curricula; electronic and other communication capabilities; and networking and customized activities promoting self-help, recovery, leadership, business management, and empowerment. CONTAC representatives have expertise in cultural and ethnic diversity, peer-support services, programming, research, evaluation, and other areas.
Consumer Organization and Networking Technical Assistance Center (CONTAC)
West Virginia Mental Health Consumers Association
P.O. Box 11000
Charleston, WV 25339
Tel.: (888) 825-TECH (8324)
(304) 345-7312
Fax: (304) 345-7303
E-mail: usacontac@contac.org
http://www.contac.org
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